Colloidal metasurface sensors and enhanced Raman spectroscopy methods

Abstract

A chemical analyte sensor. The sensor has a monolayer of shaped nanostructures, a metal or metallized surface, and analyte confined between the monolayer of shaped nanostructures and the metal or metallized surface. The analyte is confined in the highly absorbing optical cavity of the metasurface defined at the metal or metallized surface.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM AND REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from prior provisional application Ser. No. 62 / 659,286, which was filed Apr. 18, 2018.FIELD[0002]Fields of the invention include chemical sensors, metamaterials and Raman spectroscopy. Example applications of the invention include sensing for chemicals. Particular preferred applications include chemical sensing in waste water and for detection of halogenated soil contaminants. An additional example application includes sensing for Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in drinking water or breast milk.BACKGROUND[0003]Contaminants are sometimes difficult to detect and can be present in critical liquids consumed by humans, or in materials that are discharged in the environment. Such difficult-to-detect contaminants include PDBEs in liquids consumed by humans and halogenated soil contaminants PBDEs are a common brominated flame retardant, and are commonly found in consumer pro...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is for a chemical analyte sensor that uses a layer of shaped nanostructures and a metal surface to detect a specific analyte. The analyte is trapped in a cavity that allows for highly absorption. The technical effect of this invention is a more precise and sensitive way to detect chemicals in a variety of applications.

Problems solved by technology

Contaminants are sometimes difficult to detect and can be present in critical liquids consumed by humans, or in materials that are discharged in the environment.

Studies suggest that PBDEs pose potential health risks as hormone disruptors, adverse neurobehavioral toxins and as a cause of reproductive or developmental effects.

These modes are problematic when attempting to identify a fingerprint of PBDEs in the presence of other organic materials because the signature is not unique.

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